Hudson Shakespeare Company

Free Henry VIII, Macbeth Tour Jersey Venues

The Hudson Shakespeare Company in New Jersey returns for the second installment of its 22nd annual Summer Shakespeare in the Parks series with Henry VIII by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher and directed by Jon Ciccarelli. This larger-than-life king, famous for many wives, many appetites, and breaking with the Catholic church, will be given the Shakespearean treatment at several Jersey City and Hoboken venues, plus a presentation in Stratford, Conn.

Set in the middle years on Henry VIII's reign (with Bradley Sumner in that role), the play marks the shift between Henry's first wife, the very Catholic and dutiful Katherine of Aragon (Noelle Fair) and the youthful and opportunistic second wife, Anne Boelyn (Emily Ludolph). The juicy divorce and its aftermath on the English world is orchestrated by Cardinal Wolsey (David C. Neal).

"The play takes very larger-than-life scenes and shows the very human side of those events through the perspective of several characters," Ciccarelli said in a press release. "An alternative title of the play is All Is True, which means that everyone's point of view is equally valid. Ultimately, the play is told from the perspectives of the two women in Henry's life: Katherine, the solid wife on her way out, and Anne, ascending but getting more than what she wished for."

Each season, the company seeks to produce some lesser-done titles of the Shakespeare canon, and Henry VIII is this year's entry, showcasing hidden gems along with more familiar fare. The company will be returning with Macbeth in August.

The Hudson Shakespeare Company is now in its 22nd season of touring Shakespeare and classical works in Hudson County and around New Jersey. All performances are free. Patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets; in the event of rain, performances will be shifted to another venue in the park or canceled.

Following is the touring schedule for Henry VIII:

• Saturday, July 13, Historic Jersey City and Harismus Cemetery, Jersey City, N.J., 5 p.m. (Rain location, tent on site)
• Monday, July 15, Frank Sinatra Park, 410 Frank Sinatra Dr., Hoboken, N.J., 7 p.m. (No rain location)
• Tuesday, July 16, Monument Park, 1588 Palisade Ave., Fort Lee, N.J., 7:30 p.m. (No rain location)
• Wednesday, July 17, Staib Park, 174 Davis Ave., Hackensack, N.J., 7:30 p.m. (Rain location, Hackensack Cultural Arts Center, 39 Broadway, Hackensack, N.J.)
• Thursday, July 18, David Brearly High School Football Field, 425 Monroe Ave., Kenilworth, N.J., 7:30p.m. (Rain location, Kenilworth Public Library, 548 Blvd., Kenilworth, N.J.)
• Monday, July 22, Frank Sinatra Park, 410 Frank Sinatra Dr., Hoboken, N.J., 7 p.m. (No rain location)
• Tuesday, July 23 Monument Park, 1588 Palisade Ave., Fort Lee, N.J., 7:30 p.m. (No rain location)
• Wednesday, July 24, Staib Park, 174 Davis Ave., Hackensack, N.J., 7:30 p.m. (Rain location, Hackensack Cultural Arts Center, 39 Broadway, Hackensack, N.J.)
• Saturday, July 27, Stratford Public Library, 2301 Main St., Stratford, Conn., 2 p.m., (Rain location, Stratford Public Library Lovell Room)

Following is the touring schedule for Macbeth:

• Thursday, Aug. 8, Hamilton Park, Jersey City, N.J., 7 p.m. (Rain location, under the park's gazebo)
• Friday, Aug. 9, Van Vorst Park, Jersey City, N.J., 7 p.m. (Rain location, under the park's gazebo)
• Saturday, Aug. 10, Long Pond State Park, West Milford, N.J., 5 p.m. (Rain location, Long Pond Iron Works Visitors Center)
• Monday, Aug. 12, Frank Sinatra Park, 410 Frank Sinatra Dr., Hoboken, N.J., 7 p.m. (No rain location)
• Tuesday, Aug. 13, Monument Park, 1588 Palisade Ave., Fort Lee, N.J., 7:30 p.m. (No rain location)
• Wednesday, Aug. 14, Staib Park, 174 Davis Ave., Hackensack, N.J., 7:30 p.m. (Rain location, Hackensack Cultural Arts Center, 39 Broadway, Hackensack, N.J.)
• Saturday, Aug. 17, Historic Jersey City and Harismus Cemetery, Jersey City, N.J., 5 p.m. (Rain location, tent on site)
• Monday, Aug. 19, Frank Sinatra Park, 410 Frank Sinatra Dr., Hoboken, N.J., 7 p.m. (No rain location)
• Tuesday, Aug. 20, Monument Park, 1588 Palisade Ave., Fort Lee, N.J., 7:30 p.m. (No rain location)
• Wednesday, Aug. 21, Staib Park, 174 Davis Ave., Hackensack, N.J., 7:30 p.m. (Rain location Hackensack Cultural Arts Center, 39 Broadway, Hackensack, N.J.)
• Thursday, Aug. 22, David Brearly High School Football Field, 425 Monroe Ave., Kenilworth, N.J., 7:30p.m. (Rain location, Kenilworth Public Library, 548 Blvd., Kenilworth, N.J.)
• Saturday, Aug. 24, Stratford Public Library, 2301 Main St., Stratford, Conn., 2 p.m., (Rain location, Stratford Public Library Lovell Room)

July 13, 2013

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